Depthometer



Jan. 15, 1929.

w. H. GEJS ET AL DEPTHOMETER Filed Dec. 6, 1927 4 Shets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR. I l l/l/fr'ed /2. Gels I Emery 16/761/224 ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,235 w. H. GEIS ET AL DEPTHOMETER Filed Dec. 6, '1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 15, 192

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILFRED H. GEIB AND JAY EMERY VAN GUNDY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DEPTHOMETER.

Application filed December 6, 1927. Serial No. 238,037.

This invention relates to a device for measuring accurately the depth of a hole, such as a well hole being drilled by a rig, such as a portable, standard or rotary drilling outfit,

wherein there is a line, a rope or wire cable, passing over a pulley or sheave, the line being run into the hole or used for the purpose of supporting and operating apparatus such as traveling blocks, casing, pipe, drill pipe,

tools, and the like which is run into the hole.

\Vell drilling outfits commonly used inelude a derrick or mast, at the top of which is a crown pulley or sheave or a set of such sheaves supportlng apparatus to be run in the hole. The line or cable is passed over such sheave or sheaves and, therefore, its travel bears a fixed ratio to the revolutions of the sheaves, as well as to the upward and downward motion of the traveling block,

the casing, pipe, tools, and such other things as may be used in the drilling of a hole.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a means to be used in well drilling for measuring exactly'at all times the depth at which the work isbeing performed in the I hole, of running in, measuring in, and setting at desired depths, such apparatus or appliances as continuousstrings of easing from the surface, packers or liners that may be so set at any predetermined position in the hole, to measure in the drill pipe as it is run in the hole for the purpose of drilling additional footage or of running in any other kind of tool or any manner of pipe; to locate accurately the position of lost tools or fish or the place for. reaming and like operations; and for determining the position at which certain strata of rock or changes in the character of the rock drilled may be encountered. Another objectv of this invention is to provide such ameasuring device which will accumulate and record both the one-way movement of the line, or the one-way movement of the traveling block, which supports the api5 paratus being run into the well, or will record the total movement in one direction, subtracting any travel in the direction opposite to that being measured. A further object of this invention is to provide, in connection with a rotary table, apparatus of the character described, in which a computing mechanism will be placed in inoperative position upon a load being placed upon the rotary table A still further object of this invention Is to provide an apparatus of the character last'described, with means to retain the computing mechanism in operative condition during the time the rotary is being driven.

Other objects and advantages will be made fully apparent from the following specifica- 00 tion considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in' which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the top of a derrick with a crown block assembly for rotary drilling; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a fragment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 as seen on the line 22 of Fig. 1; 3 is a top plan view of a fragment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 as seen upon the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a bottom of the derrick with parts of the outfit being omitted to better show the invention; Fig. 5 is an enlarged section as seen on theline 5-5 of Fi 4; Fig. 6 is a plan of the computing assemb y at the floor of the derrick; 7 is a section as seen upon the line 7-7 ofig. 6; Fig 8 is a front elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a section as seen on the line 99 of Fig. '8; Fig. '10 is a section as seen on the line 1010 of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a section as seen upon the line 1111 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic elevation of the complete rig.

In the drawings, a rotary rig has been shown and the details thereof other than the computing assembly, the gearing from a crown sheave to the assembly, the mounting for the rotary table, the computing assembly and the controls therefor are shown for illustrative purposes onl The invention is not limited to a particular type of well drilling outfit. The derrick indicated by 15 has mounted atvthe top thereof a crown sheave block, having assembled thereon sheaves, one of which indicated by 16 has a line such as 5 cable 17 passed thcreover, and it is the revolu tion of the sheave 16 which controls the upward and downward movement of any apley 19 and dicated by 22 I nailed shafts paratus being run into the hole, and itis such revolutions of a sheave such as 16 which are to be measured in theembodiment of the invention herein shown. The sheave 16 is fixed to rot-ate with the shaft 18- mounted in suitable bearings. If the sheave was mounted to rotate on the shaft, means other than the one herein described may be provided driving the line to be measured. An extension of the shaft indicated by 18 is provided with a smaller pulley 19, having a gang of sheave grooves thereon. At one side of the derrick is a frame 14 having journalled thereon corresponding sheaves 20 and 21. A. cable 22 constituting a belt is passed over pulley 21, passing to pulley 19, around which it is semicircularly wrapped and then passing to and over pulley 20, then passing to and over pulso continued until three or more lines of said cable pass and encircle pulley 20 and four lines or more of'said cable pass and encircle pulley 19 and two lines of said cable pass and encircle pulley 21. The wrapping is for the purpose of preventing over-winding of the cable and for preventing slippage. The leads of the cable pass downward toward the floor of the derrick. These leads are inand 22 respectively.

Mounted upon the floor of the derrick or in any other suitable position is a base 23 to which are 'securedbearing standards 24 and 25 having bearing blocks in which are jour- 26 and 27. Mounted upon shaft 26 is a gang sheave 28, and mounted upon shaft 27 is a similar gang sheave 29) The cable 22 is passed around Thus, upon rotation of the crown sheave 16, the sheaves in the computing apparatus will be caused to rotate.

Fixed to the end of shaft 27 is a hub 30 so arranged as to be rotated with the shaft. The hub is provided with a-fiange to which is bolted a friction disk wheelv 31. Bearing standards 32 and 33 carry bearing blocks, in which is journalled a shaft 34 having a screw thread. Secured to the end of shaft 34 is a crank handle 35 for rotating the shaft. Mounted upon the shaft 34 is a lever frame 36. This frame 18 provided with an enlargement at the center-in which is a female thread meshing with the thread on shaft 34. The frame 36 is free to be moved axially on the shaft so that upon rotation of the shaft- 34, the frame will be moved longitudinally of the shaft.- Mounted upon the upper end of the frame 36 is computing or recording mechanism 37. This mechanism may be of the character well known in the art of computing machines and registers revolutions which may be translated into terms of lineal distance. The particular construction of this computing mechanism is not material to the present in- Vention except that it will register and record an amountproportionate tothe revolution of its shaft indicated by 38, and may accumulate sheaves 28 and 29.

movement in one direction or total'that in both as desired. It is to be understood that by accumulator is meant any device which will record travel and is inclusive of devices which mark on charts the amount of hole any apparatus being run mto the hole, since such travel and distance is a function of the number of revolutions made by sheave 16. To properly adjust the apparatus the friction wheel 39 may be moved the shaft 34. This is done by test.

Extending along the base plate 23 below.

the shaft 34 and pan llel thereto is a rail 40.

Spaced therefrom and parallel to rail 40 is a fixed rail 41. The foot of the lower leg of frame 36 is disposed between the rails. it threaded pin 42 is disposed in leg 36 for engagement of one end with the rail 40. Secured to the leg 36 below pin 42 is a bowed leaf spring 43, the ends of which engage and press against rail 41. The construction is such that the spring 43 tends to maintain the frame 36 in such'position that friction wheel 39 will be in engagement with the friction disk 31. However, the frame may be swung toward rail 41 againstthe action of the spring and the friction wheel 39 and positioned out of engagement friction wheel and the friction disk comprise a set of adjustable transmission ratio gears which may be connected and disconnected by swinging of the frame 36'. Rail 40 is mounted to rock having trunnions at its ends mountblocks 44 secured to the base ed in bearing plate 23. This permits the rail 40 to be swung and thereby move the frame 36 by. reason of engagement of the pin 42 with the rail. An-ear 45 is formed on one end of with the friction disk. The

rail 40 and has a hole through which extends The end of this by a link with an to a cylinder 48.

the shank of a link rod 46. rod has an eye and 1s o1ned eye 47. Eye 47 1s secured Slidably mounted in the cylinder is a washer 49 secured to a rod 50. Rod 50 extends to a bell crank 51, see Fig. 4. In 4 the computing mechanism structure is indicated generally by A. The other arm of the bellcrank lever 51 is secured to a link rod 52 which is attached to an arm of a hellcrank lever A link rod 54 connects hellcrank lever 53 to a bellcrank lever 55 disposed with one arm below the center of a leaf spring 56. Leaf spring, 56 is semi-elliptic having shackles 57 (see Figs. 4 and 5) atthe ends secured to derrick sills 58 supporting a rotary table.

The .sills 58 are cut away to accommodate beams 60 supporting the rotary table 61. A clearance is provided between the bottoms as to permit a limited movement, up and down rocking movement of the rotary table. The spring 56 normally maintains the table at one end in its upper position. Upon weight being placed upon the table, it will deflect downwardly. rocking the bellcrank 55 and causing rocking of the bellcrank 51 and a pull upon the rod 50. Betweenthe end of the cylinder 48 and the washer 49 is a compression spring 62. This is of sutiicicnt strength so that the cylinder will normally be moved by pull upon rod 50 and motion transmitted to the rod 46, thereby rocking the rail 40. This will cause the frame 36 to be swung so that the friction wheel 39 is disposed out of engagement with the friction disc 31. Thus, an actuating means is provided so that if weig it is placed upon the rotary table, the computing mechanism will be thrown out of operation. In the operation of the drilling rig, there are times in whichcasing and other parts are lowered through the rotary table. Slips are placed in position in the table holding the drill pipe but not as a function of the distance of travel apparatus may be running into the hole. It isonly when the slips are removed and string is lowered into the hole that the operation of the computing mechanism is desired, 1

However, during drilling operation, some strain may be placed upon the table tending to deflect it because of frictional engagement of the drill string or kelley with the table. In order to avoid the computing mechanism being placed out of operation at such time,

we have provided a lug 63 outstanding from one side of rail 40. Arranged to engage the with the lug 63 so as to release the latter.- Crank arm 66 is secured toa rod 68 which leads-to a control lever 69 having a link 70. The control lever 69 is for the purpose of starting and stopping the operation of the The link 68 is so connected that when the control lever is in the position to place the table moved to position catch 64 so asto release the rail 40, and thereby place the latter in operation. When the control lever 69 is in position so that rotary table is out of operation, rod

of the beams 60 and the sills 58 so or string. At such times it is undesirable to have the computing mechin operation, rod 68 will be said apparatus,

68 will be moved to permit a catch 6% to hold the rail 40 against movement. Thus, a control means is provided so when the rotary table is in operation, the actuating means is retained against disconnecting the gear shaft and placing the computing mechanism out of operation. This control mechanism is shown diagrammatically and may be varied.

It is obvious that the'comprising mechanism may be of a character such that there are two sets of figures, one of which will always record total depth attained and will not subtractor run back when operating tool upward. The other set of figures may rcsord depth downward and will subtract or i'iin bacfirwhen operating the tool upward in the we In Fig. 12, a rotary drilling rig is shown. The derrick is indicated by B, the crown block assembly by C and the tackle block gear by D The accumulator is marked A. E is the rotary engine and F the table. In such a rig, it may be found advisable to connect a line to the tackle block and measure its travel.

lVhat we claim is 1. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of the drill string; a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, gearing connecting said mechanism and said pulley including actuating means to connect thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string; a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, gearing connecting said mechanism and said pulley including actuating means to connect and disconnect said computing .mechanism from operation by said gearing, there being an adjustable gear ratio device included in said gearing; and means operated by movement of said device said drill string to operate said actuating means to disconnect said computing mechanism. 1

3. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of mechanism and said pulley including actuating means to connect and disconnect said axially downward of gearing connecting said.

the well hole,

u the well hole,

computing mechanism 'from operation by said gearing; means operated by movement ot said device axially downward of sad Z3 thereover for causing travel of apparatus a into the well hole; measuring apparatus comprising a computing mechanism *mg the lineal travel of said apparatus, and

for record gearing connecting said mechanism and said pulley including an adjustable friction driven wheel and a drive wheel. V t

5. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control ineans'to place said desaid gearing, there being adjustable friction gearing and means operated bymovement of said device axially downward of said dull to operate said actuating means to disconnect said computing mechanism.

6. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crownpulley, a line pass ng thereover for causing travel of, apparatus into thewell hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a co puting mechanism for recording the lineal ravel of said apparatus, gearing connectingsald mechmeans to connect and disconnect said computing mechanism from operation by said gearing; an adjustable gear ratio device included in said gearing; means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill string to operate said actuating means to disconnect said computing means; and means associated with said control means and operated thereby to retain said actuating means in connected conditionupon operation of said device. i

7. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, gearing connecting said mechanism and said pulley including actuating means to connect and disconnect said computvice into and out of operation; a computing driven and drive wheels included in said;

anism and said pulley including actuating ing mechanism-from operation by said gear.- ing, there being adjustable friction driven and drive wheels included in said gearing; means thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole; a measuring apparatus comprising a drive pulley geared to sai crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said-drive and driven pulleys together, and computing mechanisin for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus geared to saiddriven pulley.

9. In combination with a well drilling rig having a crown pulley and a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole; measuring apparatus comprisz ing a drive pulley geared to said crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said drive to said driven pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, and an ad justable gear'ratio set connecting said computing mechanism and said driven pulley.

10. In combination with a well drilling rig having a crown pulley and a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into said computing mechanism and said driven pulley. I 5

11. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a drive pulley connected to said crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, ing said drive and driven pulleys'together, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, a set of gears arranged to be thrown into and out of engagement for connecting said driven pulley and said computing mechanism whereby to place .said computing mechanism into and out of v a belt gearand out of operation;

drive pulley connected to said crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said drive pulley to said driven pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, a set of gears arranged to be thrown into and out of engagement for connecting said driven pulley and said computing mechanism whereby to place said computing mechanism into means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill string to operatesaid gear set to disconnect said computing means; and means associated with said control means and operated thereby to retain said actuating means in connected condition upon operation of said device.

13. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of adrill string; a drive pulley connected to said crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said driven pulley to said drive pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, a set of adjustable ratio gears arranged to be thrown into and out of engagement for connecting said driven pulley and'said computing mechanism whereby to place said computing mechanism into and out of operation; and means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill stringto operate said set of gears to disconnect said computing mechanism therefrom.

let. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a drive ulley connected to said crown pulley so as to e rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said drive pulley to said driven pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of saidapparatus, a set of adjustable ratio gears arranged to be thrown into and out of engagement for connecting said driven pulley and said computing mechanism whereby to place said computing mechanism means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill string to operate said set of gears to disconnect said computing means "therefrom; and means associated with said control means and operated thereby to retain said set of gears in connected condition u on operation of said device.

- 15. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of appainto and out of operation;

ratus into the well hole, a device for causing rotation of a drill string; a drive pulley connected to said crown ulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pu ley, a belt gearing said drive pulley to said driven pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, adjustable friction drive and driven wheels for connection of said computing mechanism and said driven pulley, one of said discs being movable into and out of driving engagement with the other whereby to connect and disconnect said computing mechanism therefrom; and means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill string to operate said friction wheels to disconnect said computing mechanism therefrom.

16. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a. line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a I ing rotation of a drill string, control means to place said device into and out of operation; a drive pulley connected to said crown pulley so as to be rotated thereby, a driven pulley, a belt gearing said drive pulley to said driven pulley, a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, adjustable friction drive and driven wheels for connecting said computing mechanism and said driven pulleys, one of said wheels being movable into and out of driving engagement with the other whereby to connect and disconnect said computing mechanism therefrom; means operated by movement of said device axially downward of said drill string to operate said friction wheels to disconnect said computing means therefrom; and means associated with said control means and operated thereby to retain said actuating means in connected condition upon operation of said device.

17. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a rotary table for causing rotation of the drill string, control means to place said table into and out of operation; a computing mechanism for recording the lineal travel of said apparatus, gearing connecting said mechanism and said pulley including actuating means to connect and disconnect said computing mechanism from operation by said gearing; and means operated by downward movement of said table to operate said control means to disconnect said computing mechanism.

18. In combination with a rotary well drilling rig having a crown pulley, a line passing thereover for causing travel of apparatus into the well hole, a rotary table for causing rotation of a drill string, control device for causmeans to place said table into and out of operation, a computing mechanism for regearing connecting said mechanism and said ating means to disconnect said computing v pulley including actuating means to connect mechanism therefrom. a Y and disconnect said computing mechanism In Witness that we claim'the foregoing we 10 .for operation by said gearing, there being an have hereunto subscribed out names this 30th 5 adjustable gear ratio device included in said day of November, 1927.

gearing; and means operated by downward I WILFRED H. GEIS. movement of said table to operate said actu- JAY EMERY VAN GUNDY. 

